The annual Killarney National Park Autumn Talks Series returns for its 38th year on Thursday, October 8, at Killarney House Auditorium

The series will run every Thursday evening at 8.00pm for six weeks. Admission to the venue is free, with seating available on a first-come basis.

All presentations will also be live-streamed online via the official Killarney National Park Facebook page.

Organiser and recently retired NPWS Conservation Ranger Padruig O’Sullivan spoke about the continued popularity of the event.

“The success of the talks is the incredible engagement with our community and in recent years, live-streaming the events has greatly enhanced the experience with audiences joining us from all parts of the globe,” O’Sullivan said.

“The diversity of speakers stemming from every walk of life with challenging and engaging topics, always an invaluable source of new information to share,” O’Sullivan added.

Award-winning photographer James Crombie opens the series on October 8 with a talk on starling murmurations at Lough Ennell.

Other topics across the six-week schedule include native pollinators, sustainability initiatives at Dinis Cottage, the legacy of Kenmare House, and research into ash and elm conservation.

A key highlight occurs on October 29, when Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin of UCC delivers a presentation on The Annals of Innisfallen, the 1,000-year-old manuscript documenting early Irish history from InnisfallenIsland.

Event Schedule

Date & Time Subject SpeakerThurs
Oct 8 (8.00pm) Starling MurmurationsJames Crombie (PPI Press Photographer of the Year)

Thurs Oct 15 (8.00pm) Native Honey Bees and Pollinators Prof. Grace McCormack (University of Galway)
Thurs Oct 22 (8.00pm) Dinis Cottage: Going Green Kerry Corkery (Sustainability Engineer, TEM)
Thurs Oct 29 (8.00pm) Exploring the Annals of Innisfallen Prof. Pádraig Ó Macháin (Professor of Modern Irish, UCC)
Thurs Nov 5 (8.00pm)Shadows of Splendour: 300 years of Kenmare House Rachel Kavanagh (Killarney House)
Thurs Nov 12 (8.00pm)Securing the Future of Ireland’s Ash and Elm Dr. Dheeraj Rathore (Senior Research Officer, Teagasc)

ScallyWags PreSchool secures prestigious environmental award

ScallyWags PreSchool has achieved national recognition after earning the Silver Stag intermediate level award for its work in biodiversity and outdoor education.

The Muckross preschool was the only school in South Kerry to pick up an award in the latest environmental assessment scheme. The Silver Stag is awarded to schools that successfully integrate pupil-led environmental actions, hands-on outdoor learning, and habitat improvements.
Working with children aged three to four, the preschool established native hedgerows, created bee and bug hotels, mounted bird and bat boxes, and constructed a mini pond from an upcycled flower box to track local aquatic life. The school ground management also featured designated un-mown micro-meadows to encourage native wildflowers and insects.
ScallyWags PreSchool owner Patricia Quigley praised the children’s hands-on involvement in transforming the school grounds.
Quigley said. “Our first time submitting an entry and to get silver is so great. We worked for it. We planted hawthorn, willow, and holly hedgerow, put up bird boxes, a bat box, a bird care station out of an old dog bowl, a bee and a bug hotel.”
“We drew a map to see what we needed to do. I think one of our favourite things was building a pond out of a flower box, and enjoying watching what creatures arrived to it,” she added. “We were the only school, not just preschool, who won an award in South Kerry. Little us! It is all towards a better education in nature for future generations.”